Louisiana students will see updated English language arts standards in the coming years as state education leaders move to place a stronger focus on the building blocks of reading and writing.

The revised K-12 English language arts standards were recently approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education after being recommended by State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. According to state officials, the new standards are designed to strengthen instruction in areas such as the science of reading, grammar, cursive writing, and the use of content-rich texts.

Education leaders say the goal is to sharpen students’ foundational skills so they can become stronger readers, better writers, and more effective communicators. Brumley said the standards reflect a renewed emphasis on core academic practices and respond to feedback from parents and teachers who want more classroom time devoted to essential skills.

One of the biggest changes is an increased focus on the science of reading, including phonics and other foundational skills that help students sound out words and read more independently. The updated standards also place added attention on grammar and usage, with the goal of helping students write and speak more clearly in school and everyday life.

The new standards also continue to include handwriting instruction, including cursive, as part of a broader approach to literacy.

The revised standards will not take effect immediately. They are scheduled to begin in the 2027-28 school year, giving school systems time to prepare. The Louisiana Department of Education has said it will provide guidance, training, and instructional support to help districts transition to the updated expectations.

The review of the standards was part of the state’s regular academic review cycle. Under BESE policy, content standards must be reviewed at least once every seven years. This review process began in 2024 and included public meetings, a public comment period, and an open application process for the review committee.

State officials said the committee that worked on the revised standards included Louisiana teachers, school leaders, higher education representatives, parents, and content specialists, with the aim of making sure the final standards reflected both classroom experience and student needs across the state.

Officials also noted that academic standards and curriculum are not the same thing. Standards outline what students are expected to learn at each grade level, while curriculum refers to how those skills and concepts are taught. In Louisiana, local school systems choose their own curriculum, while the state sets and reviews the academic standards.